I was about to tell a story about an incident in my family, which totally upset me. I still do not have the right words for how immature, irresponsible, and negligent someone can be, only to fulfill their own needs while risking the health of an elderly person. However, I decided differently since there are so many “simple” people out in the world (just look at the leader in the US) who won’t change anyway. It is just sad to get that confirmed again, and you cannot do anything about it, but being even more aware of that fact.
Ok, that helped already. So, let’s turn toward something that supports good feelings and makes us more resilient to deal better with the dumb people in the world. We cannot change them – since that is their way and (sadly) the way of those influenced by them. We cannot save our loved ones from them when they are not aware enough. But we can make a difference and act in the way we believe is right and reasonable. If we think differently, then we need to speak up and act differently; or we are not better than them.
Sometimes it’s not easy to put your own needs aside. Still, it is important to take a step back every now and then and look at a situation from a different perspective. This also makes the consequences clearer—consequences that can only be recognized if you’re willing to see them.
We need to take care of one another, especially in times when we are told to care only for ourselves. What I give, will return. What I tolerate, will return. I believe that these times are teaching us again that it is not about the I, but the We. Don’t get me wrong, the individual must make sure that they are doing well and are healthy both mentally and physically. Only then can they be a source of support and help to others. But we are part of a community – a community of more than 8 billion people. All of them are individuals, and all have the right to live in peace and have their basic needs met (like food, home, education, respect, health, love – in no specific order).
If this personal incident had to happen, at least it served to remind me to focus on what really matters:
We are responsible for one another.
Only together can we make this world work.
We Are One!
In Love and Light
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God Bless us, everyone!
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There are always going to be people who never consider the needs of others. It can be upsetting for sure and I think it’s important to set boundaries about what is tolerated and what is not. Thank you for sharing this. It is about the We. We’ve often heard the saying, “we are all in the same boat together,” haven’t we? But I prefer to think we are all in the same ocean together, but in different boats. 🙂
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I love it a lot how you put that, Jan! “We are all in the same ocean together, but in different boats.” That gives the perfect picture. We all are trying to swimm and keep our heads above the water. Some help others into their boat. Others watch them how long they can swim.
Let’s be those who help others into our boats, regardless what others do, and if they ever understand what they do.
Jan, may I quote you with your sentence above? I totally love it!
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Of course you can, Erika. You can share anything I throw out there. 🙂
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Hehe, thank you 💖
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Erika, a choice we make as we age and gain experience is to avoid suffering fools. We limit or cease exposure to these negative influences. Diplomatic pushback is just not working. Keith
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You put that well, diplomatic pushbacks are senseless at this stage. And you are right, they might keep doing their thing, but it is our choice to avoid the contact with negativity and selfishness (whenever possible). Thanks for your comment, Keith!
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There are a number of people who lack common sense and when you attach that to “it’s all about me” mentally, there are bound to be a lot of scratch your head moments.
Yes, we are one big human community and we have to continue to pump goodness in this chaotic world.
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“Scratch your head moments” well said, Sylvester! We need to start taking care for others in our own little world, most of all when it concerns your own family. Sometimes I am not sure if it is calculation or naivety. However, we need to act differently and be a role model. Thanks for your words!
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Thank you for your post and yes can be role models by being the best version of who we are. Nobody is perfect but at the same time some are lacking a lot, character and personality wise.
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And the sad thing is that they don’t even see it. A lot to learn for everyone – them and the people around them.
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If we face the world with a smile, hopefully they’ll smile back Erika and spread it around. Mind you, some can’t help themselves and just steal it 🤗❤️🙏
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I couldn’t agree more. Maybe it doesn’t work all the time, but it is the only way to make it happen. A smile (maybe a heart) is the only thing that’s ok to be stolen, isn’t it 😊💖
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Haha, well said Erika. Those hearts when stolen may end up being painful, but ever done with a great love kind lady 🤣❤️🙏
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Better the pain after than never having felt those kinds of feelings 💖
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Amen to that kind lady 🤗❤️🙏
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🙏💖
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I do not particularly like the use of “dumb” to define another person as it is not only offensive, but it could be showing a total lack of understanding of their situation. An individual who shows a total lack of understanding of anything beyond themselves could perhaps be the result of parental role modelling. Perhaps they experienced a crisis in which a total self focus helped them through it. Perhaps they have simply lead an isolated life and have not known any different. An individual who was raised in a “financially privileged” environment is unlikely to be able to relate to those who live from payday to payday but then, how could they? They have never experienced living with financial restraints.
My response to such individuals results from two questions that I ask myself. The first is “Why are they so totally self absorbed (or “Why are they not interested in others?”)”. The second is “What can I do that may initiate change?”
There is a reality that I must confront, which is that I may not be able to initiate any change whatsoever … but shouldn’t I at least try? If a carefully considered “Plan A” goes nowhere, then there is always “Plan B” ….. which tells me to just behave how I would want others to behave. It comes down to simple role modelling. It comes down to the quote “Be how you would love the world to be.”
In summary, I cannot change Donald Trump. I cannot change people I meet on a regular basis to be more loving/caring … but I can role model those goals and, in some cases, it will work. Those “some cases” are cause for celebration and provide the stimulus to continue.
A “dumb” person is nothing more complicated than a person who lacks education in some facet(s) of life. Perhaps we have the knowledge, the experience, and the ability, to expand the education of that person? Do we care about them enough though?
Food for thought eh!
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I am glad I changed the word to dumb… my first draft looked differently. In this case, it combines deviousness, manipulation, and country wisdom with the arrogance of believing to be too smart that anyone notices what what their intention is. That was my connection from the small to the big world.
However, that was only the trigger for this post. We need to do/be what we think is correkt, fighting someone who does not “speak your language” does not help.
Thanks for your thoughts, Colin.
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